The days and months since then constitute the decades of noble succession and great changes, in which the world-historic significance of the greatness and revolutionary exploits of the peerlessly great man, who ushered in a new era of independence under the banner of Juche in the centre of the 20th century and created a new history of modern Korea, the first prospering socialist state in the East, has been strikingly highlighted in the world, and in which the Workers' Party of Korea and the people of the DPRK have achieved shining victories in accomplishing the great historic cause of building a rich country with strong army as desired by the President.
In those exciting days, his august name and sacred image served as a beacon that hardened all the people's faith in sure victory and indomitable will, and his revolutionary ideology and exploits served as the banner of struggle teaching the ever-victorious strategy and as a solid foundation for steady advance and leaps forward.
At this moment of commemorating the lapse of 30 years of great immortality, not only the generations that grew up under his care but also all the younger generations who have grown up cherishing his noble image and august name in their hearts pay the highest tribute to him, recollecting with the deepest reverence the whole life of the great sage of the revolution, which will shine forever as a model of genuine life and struggle for all future generations.
A national memorial service took place at
The venue of the memorial service was filled with ardent yearning and deep mourning for President
National flags were hoisted at half-mast at the flagstaffs of the square.
He was followed by Kim Tok Hun, Jo Yong Won, Choe Ryong Hae and Ri Pyong Chol, Members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, and other senior Party, government and military officials, leading officials of the Cabinet, working people's organizations, ministries and national agencies and persons of merits.
Kim Yong Nam, Pak Pong Ju and other veteran cadres who had worked in the Party, government and military for a long time were present on the reviewing stands.
Present at the memorial service were officials of the Central Committee of the WPK, the Cabinet, working people's organizations, ministries and national agencies, officers and soldiers of the Korean People's Army and the Public Security Forces, officials and working people of institutions and industrial establishments, and youth and students in Pyongyang.
The opening of the national memorial service was announced.
All the participants paid a silent tribute to the memory of President
The national anthem of the DPRK was played.
Ri Il Hwan, Member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, made a memorial address "The Sacred Revolutionary Exploits of the Great Leader Comrade
The memorial service ended with the playing of the immortal revolutionary hymn "Song of General
A gun salute was fired in memory of the President.
The great gunfire shook the land of July for a long time, representing the unshakable faith and will of all the people to glorify for all ages the ennobling revolutionary career and immortal revolutionary exploits of the President.
All the participants paid a tribute of deepest reverence to the President, further hardening their will to turn theirs into a great people's country and a powerful socialist nation under the leadership of the respected Comrade